SECOND ANNUAL JAMAICAN REEF CENSUS TO BE HELD IN NEGRIL IN OCTOBER

Volunteers To Provide Baseline Data for the Future

For more information contact Phil Carta at 1-888-437-8456

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL -- In the latest example of underwater environmental activism and cooperation, commercial and environmental groups have joined forces to underwrite the first benchmark survey of the abundance and diversity of marine life on the coral reefs of Negril, Jamaica. The new Reefcliff Resort is sponsoring a 7-week Reef Census Program from October 4 through November 21, 1998 and has enlisted support from The Negril Coral Reef Preservation Society (NCRPS), The Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) and the Negril Scuba Center. Data produced from these surveys will be housed at The Nature Conservancy's Marine Conservation Center at the University of Miami. All that the Program lacks at this time are volunteer scuba divers, urgently needed to help contribute to the scientific database on biodiversity in Negril's marine environment.

The Reef Census will provide information vital to the NCRPS's current efforts to create a new Marine Park in Negril. This highly innovative park will help preserve and replenish marine life and counteract the effects of over fishing, pollution and other environmental problems. According to Paul Humann, marine life author, photographer and Chairman of the REEF Board of Trustees, "Jamaica was long known by the scientific community as the epicenter of biodiversity in the Caribbean Sea. The new marine park is a bright light on this horizon. It designates numerous use zones, including 'no fishing' and replenishment areas, and is favored by the local population. The Reef Census will generate baseline data to establish current fish species and population so that the effectiveness of the Park's programs can be measured in the future."

Humann adds, "Divers of all skill levels are welcome to participate. Diver volunteers will receive free instruction in fish identification and in the "roving diver" technique of making fish counts. This standardized method requiring little time and equipment enables the volunteers to rapidly and inexpensively provide reliable abundance and distribution information. Making the counts is easy, fun and a great way to have a most enjoyable dive vacation while benefiting the marine environment at the same time. You don't have to be an ichthyologist to play a meaningful role!"

The originator of the Census Program and owner of Reefcliff, Walt Walters, tells us, "We hope that the scuba diving community will recognize the value of volunteering their time to this worthwhile program and to make it easy for them we have made the entire effort virtually a not-for-profit undertaking. We will be providing the volunteers a free fish identification course, providing breakfasts and dinners, and there will be other fun things to do in the off time. We even have activities for non-diving companions so that divers will be encouraged to volunteer. Jamaica is a wonderfully romantic destination and Reefcliffs location high on the cliff overlooking the Caribbean is simply ideal!" Through sponsorships and participation by suppliers who believe in the Program, volunteers can participate in one of the programs weeks for less than $1000 including accommodations, breakfasts, dinners and roundtrip flight from Miami.

For more information, volunteers may contact Phil Carta, the U.S. organizer of the program, at 888-437-8456 or phil@newadventures.com. More information about the program is also available at http://www.newadventures.com/negril